clothes, many of the brothers', and 2 bags
containing nicknacks, awls, needles, twine, etc., for repairs. It
was providential the whole was not burnt, and but for the exertions
of Mr. Scrutton, all the powder would have gone. He is described as
having snatched some of the canisters from the fire with the solder
melting on the outside. They had succeeded in rescuing the little
that was saved by carrying it to a large ant-hill to, windward.
Their exertions were no doubt great and praise-worthy, but a little
common prudence would have saved their necessity, and a heavy and
irreparable loss to the whole party, one which might have jeopardized
the safety of the expedition. Besides this, they had a less
important but still serious loss; "Maroon," a valuable grey sire
horse, that Mr. Jardine hoped to take to the new settlement, died
from the effects of poison, or of a snake bite, but more probably the
former. The pack-horses joined the cattle in the evening. Stock was
taken of the articles destroyed, and the best disposition made of
what remained. The latitude of this camp (XVIII.) was 16 degrees 55
minutes 6 seconds.

'November' 10.--Leaving instructions with the cattle party to
follow down Cockburn Creek, and halt at the spots marked for them,
the Brothers, accompanied by Eulah, started ahead, to mark the camps
and examine the country. By this means no time was lost. The first
three camps were marked at about seven-mile intervals; and at about
25 miles, opposite two small lagoons on the west bank, the Leader
marked trees STOP (in heart), on either side the creek, leaving
directions for the party to halt till he returned, and a mile further
down camped for the night. The banks of the creek were scrubby and
poorly grassed, the country sandy, and thickly timbered with
tea-tree, stringy-bark, and bloodwood, and a few patches of
silver-leaved iron-bark, the nondas being very plentiful along its
course. Large flocks of cockatoo parrots ('Nymphicus Nov. Holl.')
and galaas were seen during the day.

'November' 11.--Still continuing down the creek the party made a
short stage of 13 miles, one of their horses having become too sick
to travel. The early halt gave them an opportunity to go hunting,
the more necessary as they were again out of meat. The result was an
iguana, a bandicoot, three opossums, and some "sugar bags" or wild
honey nests.

'November' 12.--Crossing Cockburn Creek the Brothers bore away
N.N.W. for